Bi-directional gender changing rotary connection for luminaire

ABSTRACT

An elongated lighting module having an asymmetric illumination source formed from at least two rows of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that extend along the long axis of the module and are independently controllable. The illumination source is rectangular and oriented so that the rows of LEDs extend along the long axis of the module. The module has couplings at each end that allow additional modules to be interconnected to each other and to a central mount, thereby avoiding the need for a support pole having cross-arms. The lighting modules are powered via a wiring harness that extends down a support pole to a power converter stack having LED drivers to control the modules.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/940,644, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sports lighting systems and, morespecifically, to a modular luminaire having rotary connections forbi-directional movement.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional sports lighting systems rely on individual luminaires thatare mounted along the cross-arms of a support pole. Each luminairecontains the requisite power conversion and supply electronics and isindividually oriented to direct a generally circular beam of lightacross the area to be illuminated, such as a sporting field or similarvenue. As a result, the lighting system requires significant manualintervention during installation and use. For example, individuals mustscale the support pole to access the luminaires, whether forestablishing or correcting the orientation of the luminaire, forservicing the components of the luminaire, or for replacing a defectiveluminaire. As establishing the correct lighting pattern for a sportingfield upon installation of a lighting system typically requiressignificant readjustment and realignment of the luminaires, the amountof manual intervention required by conventional systems can besignificant. Moreover, there is often a need to adjust the lightingsystem after installation. Accordingly, there is a need in the art forlighting system that can be more easily adjusted upon installation andduring use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a modular lighting system comprised a pluralityof asymmetric lighting modules that can be physically and electricallyinterconnected to each other at the top of a support pole without theneed for cross-arms. More specifically, the lighting module, orluminaire, has a housing extending from a first end to a second endalong a longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal opening inalignment with an illumination source, a first coupler positioned at thefirst end of the housing and having a first cylindrical portionextending longitudinally outward from the housing and a first flangeextending radially outwardly from the first cylindrical portion, and asecond coupler positioned at the second end of the housing and having asecond cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward from thehousing and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the secondcylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion defines an outwardlyfacing bearing surface and has an end face having a first set ofelectrical contacts. The first cylindrical portion has an internal borethat permits access to a second set of electrical contacts positionedwithin the bore. The first set of electrical contacts are interconnectedto the second set of electrical contacts internally of the housing. Theillumination source is interconnected the first set of electricalcontacts and the second set of electrical contacts such that a source ofpower coupled to either of the first set of electrical contacts and thesecond set of electrical contacts will provide power to the illuminationsource and the other of the first set of electrical contacts and thesecond set of electrical contacts. The first set of electrical contactsand the second set of electrical contacts define a plurality ofelectrically independent pathways. The illumination source includes aplurality of light sources, each of which is associated with acorresponding one of the plurality of electrically independent pathways.

The present invention also comprises a lighting system having a firstluminaire having a first housing with a first illumination source, afirst coupler positioned at an end of the first housing, and a secondcoupler positioned at an opposing end the first housing, and a secondluminaire having a second housing with a second illumination source, athird coupler positioned at an end of the housing, and a fourth couplerpositioned at an opposing end the second housing. The first luminaire iscoupled to the second luminaire so that the first illumination source iselectrically interconnected to the second illumination source. The firstluminaire is coupled to the second luminaire by the first coupler andthe fourth coupler. The first coupler has a first cylindrical portionextending longitudinally outward and a first flange extending radiallyoutwardly from the first cylindrical portion, the second coupler has asecond cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a secondflange extending radially outwardly from the second cylindrical portion,the third coupler has a third cylindrical portion extendinglongitudinally outward and a third flange extending radially outwardlyfrom the third cylindrical portion, and the fourth coupler has a fourthcylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a fourth flangeextending radially outwardly from the fourth cylindrical portion. Thefirst coupler and the fourth coupler are coupled together by a clamppositioned in covering relation to the first flange and the fourthflange. The first cylindrical portion of the first coupler defines anoutwardly facing bearing surface and has an end face having a first setof electrical contacts. The fourth cylindrical portion of the fourthcoupler has an internal bore that permits access to a second set ofelectrical contacts positioned within the bore. The first set ofelectrical contacts are interconnected to the second set of electricalcontacts. A source of power may be coupled to the second connector. Thesource of power is coupled to the first illumination source and thesecond illumination source by a first plurality of electricallyindependent pathways extending through the first luminaire and a secondplurality of electrically independent pathways extending through thesecond luminaire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated byreading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an asymmetric source sports lightingsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a support pole ofan asymmetric source sports lighting system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the asymmetric lighting source for alighting module according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a mechanical view of the light emitting diode (LED) layout foran asymmetric lighting source according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is schematic of the electronics for an asymmetric lighting sourceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lighting module according to thepresent invention having a lens array thereon;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the male and female couplers of alighting module according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the male and female couplers of alighting module according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a coupler clamp for securing lightingmodules to each other according to the present invention

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view of a lighting module to lighting moduleconnection according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an electrical diagram of a lighting module to lighting moduleconnection according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is two perspective views of a mount according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is an electrical diagram of a lighting module to mountconnection according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing axial rotation of a series ofinterconnected lighting modules according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a controller stack according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a core enclosure according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is high level schematic for a lighting system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 is a detailed schematic of a master controller according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 19 is a detailed schematic of a core enclosure according to thepresent invention

FIG. 20 is a schematic of wireless monitoring and control approachaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic of beam steering using a lighting systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic of beam angles changes using a lighting systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic of tunable cut-off in a lighting system accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an environmental sealing system for alighting module according to the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a front view of an environmental sealing system for alighting module according to the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a side view of a micro-lens for a lighting module accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a first view of illumination steering using a lens arrayaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a second view of illumination steering using a lens arrayaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a third view of illumination steering using a lens arrayaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 30 is a fourth view of illumination steering using a lens arrayaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, wherein like numeral refer to like partsthroughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 an asymmetric source sports lightingsystem 10 according to the present invention. System 10 is designed forinstallation on a support pole 12 to provide illumination over a targetarea 14, such as a sporting field or pitch. System includes one or morerows of light emitting diode (LED) lighting modules 20 that extendlaterally from support pole 12. Lighting modules 20 are powered via awiring harness 22 that extends along the interior of support pole 12 andis coupled to a controller stack 24. Controller stack 24 transformslocal building power from AC to DC and includes LED drivers 26 forlighting modules 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, a central mount 30 is coupled to pole 12 and usedto support first and second lighting modules 20. Lighting modules 20 arecoupled to either side of mount 30 using a modular coupling systemdescribed herein that physically supports modules 20 and electronicallyinterconnects modules 20 to wiring harness 22 and thus controller stack24. The opposing end of each lighting module 20 coupled to mount 30 maybe used to physically support and electronically interconnect toadditional lighting modules 20 extending further outwardly from supportpole 12. The combination of lighting modules 20 connected to mount 30and the additional lighting modules 20 extending to either side of pole12 are self-supporting so that support pole 12 does not need to includephysical cross-arms or lateral supports to mount additional lightingmodules 20. The particular dimensions of lighting module 20 may bevaried as desired. For example, lighting module 20 could be provided intwo lengths, X and 2X, that may be mixed and matches as needed for aparticular installation.

Referring to FIG. 3, each lighting module 20 includes a housing 40extending along a longitudinal axis X-X. Housing 40 defines arectangular opening 42 in a central portion thereof that permits accessto an asymmetric illumination source 44. Asymmetric illumination source44 is dimensioned to produce an asymmetric beam of illumination fromrectangular opening 42 of module 20. Housing 40 may further include fins46 or other external structures for dispersing heat generated by the useof asymmetric illumination source 44.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, asymmetric illumination source 44 comprisesmultiple rows 50 of light emitting diode (LED) sets 52 spaced along asubstrate 54 and coupled to electronic circuitry 56 for asymmetricallydriving illumination source 44. Each row 50, or optionally, each pair ofrows 50, are independently controllable by adjusting the amount of powerdelivered to that row (or pair or rows) using electronic circuitry 56and controller stack 24 to provide asymmetric illumination from module20. Optionally, a local microcontroller in each module 20 can be forfurther adjustment of the amount of power provided to each row (or pairor rows) of LED sets. As seen in FIG. 5, asymmetric illumination source44 having three independently controllable rows 50 of LED sets 52.Electronic circuitry 56 further includes pass-through circuitry 58 forproviding power to adjacently connected lighting modules 20 that alsoinclude independently controlled rows 50 of LED sets 52. In the exampleof FIG. 5, a total of two additional lighting modules 20 may beinterconnected and supported by circuitry 58.

Referring to FIG. 6, a molded lens array 60 is positioned over anasymmetric illumination source 44 to reduce harshness and providesealing of asymmetric illumination source 44 within housing 40. Housing40 of module 20 is further configured to allow for easy coupling to thesupport pole and to other housings 40, forming both structural andelectrical connection. Housing 40 includes a male coupler 70 positionedat one end of housing 40 and a female coupler 72 positioned at anopposing end of housing 40. Male coupler 70 is defined by a a radiallyextending flange 74 and a circumferentially extending, outwardly facingbearing surface 76. Female coupler 72 includes a correspondinglydimensioned flange 78 and a receptacle 82 defining a circumferentiallyextending, inwardly facing bearing surface 77.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, female coupler 72 further includes a set ofbrush contacts 84 positioned in receptacle 82 that face outwardly alongaxis X-X and male coupler 70 includes an end face 86 supporting set ofring contacts 88 that face outwardly in the opposite direction alongaxis X-X from brush contacts 84. Male coupler 70 may additionallyinclude grooves 90 formed therein to house an O-ring for sealingpurposes. It should be recognized that other contacts may be used, suchas pogo pins and the like. As detailed below, brush contacts 84 and ringcontacts 88 define a plurality of independent pathways for powering theindependently controlled rows 50 of LED sets 52.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a clamp 92 may be positioned and secured incovering relation to flanges 74 and 80 to secure a first module 20 a toa second module 20 b when male coupler 70 and female coupler 72 are fulljoined so that bearing surfaces 76 and 77 are in seated together andbrush contacts 84 and ring contacts 88 are in contact and electricallyengaged. Clamp 92 comprises a pair of jaws 100 and 102 that can beopened and then closed in covering relation to flanges 74 and 80, asseen in FIG. 10, when male coupler 70 of one module 20 a is jointed withand seated inside female coupler 72 of an adjacent module 20 b. Whenmale coupler 70 is fully inserted into female coupler 72, flanges 74 and80 will abut and brush contacts 84 will physically and electricallyengage ring contacts 88. Clamp 92 may then be closed over flanges 74 and80 to secure first module 20 a to second module 20 b using a latch 104on one jaw 102 that cooperates with a slot 106 in the other jaw 100,with electrical continuity between first module 20 a to second module 20b provided via the engagement of ring contacts 88 with brush contacts84. Adjacent modules 20 may thus be electrically interconnected whencoupled together so that each module 20 has multiple independentelectrical power pathways for driving the independently controllable LEDrows of asymmetric illumination source 44.

Referring to FIG. 11, module 20 b is electrically interconnected tomodule 20 a so that LED circuitry 118 b of module 20 b and LED circuitry118 a of module 20 a are coupled together and under common powercontrol. For example, coupler 70 b of module 20 b includes couplercircuitry 112 b that can receive power from ring contacts 88. Couplercircuitry 112 b is coupled to LED circuitry 118 b via cabling 114 b. LEDcircuitry 118 b is also coupled to coupler circuitry 110 b associatedwith female coupler 72 b via cabling 114 b. As a result, independentpower pathways for LED circuitry 118 b extend through module 20 b andare available at coupler 70 b and coupler 72 b such as that a powersupply connected to coupler 70 will also provide power to coupler 72,and vice versa. As further seen in FIG. 11, module 20 a can beelectrically coupled to module 20 b via a coupler 70 a that is securedto coupler 72 b. Coupler circuitry 112 a of module 20 a is coupled toLED circuitry 114 a via cabling 114 a. Although not illustrated forsimplicity, it should be evident that module 20 a also include a coupler72 a that can be, in turn, coupled to another module 20, and so on, withthe power supply for all housings 20 connected to an available coupler70 or 72 at either end. Thus, module 20 is bi-directional and can beplaced in series with additional housings 20 for common power control.

Referring to FIG. 12, mount 30 for attaching one or more housings 20 toa support pole 12 comprises a mounting plate 94 having a shaft 96extending therefrom to support a main body 98 having male coupler 70 onone side and a female coupler 72 on the opposing side. Mount 30 suspendsmodule 20 in spaced relation to support pole 12 to which mount 30 isattached. Male coupler 70 and female coupler 72 are configured in samemanner as described above with respect to module 20, i.e., male coupler70 includes an end face 86 having concentric ring contacts 88 and femalecoupler 72 has brush contacts 84 positioned within receptacle 82. Malecoupler further includes flange 74 and female coupler 72 includes flange80. As a result, module 20 may be coupled to mount 30 in the same manneras described above with respect to the connection of module 20 a tomodule 20 b.

Referring to FIG. 13, joining of mount 30 to module 20 allows couplercircuitry 110 of female coupler 72 of mount 30 to connect with couplercircuitry 112 of male coupler 70 of module 20 via brush contacts 84 andring contacts 88. Coupler circuitry 112 is coupled to LED circuitry 118via cabling 114. LED circuitry 118 is also coupled to coupler circuitry110 associated with female coupler 72 via cabling 114. As a result,independent power pathways for LED circuitry 118 b extend through module20 from mount 30 and are available at coupler 70 such that a powersupply connected to coupler 72 will also provide power to coupler 70.Similarly, module 20 may also be connected to the male coupler 70 ofmount 30 using female coupler 72 of module 20, thus simply reversing theconnections of FIG. 13 such that power is provided by mount 30 tocoupler 72 with the power also made available at coupler 70 forattachment of another module 20.

Referring to FIG. 14, cylindrical bearing surfaces of male coupler 70and female coupler 72 allows adjacent lighting modules 20, as well aslighting modules 20 coupled to mount 30, to be rotated aboutlongitudinal axis X-X. The orientation of the rectangular illuminationprovided by module 20 may thus be adjusted in a single direction, i.e.,about a single axis, via rotation of lighting module 20 about axis X-X.As explained above, bearing surfaces 76 and 77 allow for physicalrotation of housings 20, with brush contacts 84 and ring contacts 88maintaining electrical continuity regardless of the rotation of housingabout longitudinal axis X-X. Housings 20 may thus be easily oriented, orreoriented, as desired. While housings 20 may be manually adjusted atany time, servo motors could be incorporated into couplers 70 and 72 toallow for remote rotation of lighting modules 20 about axis X-X.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, controller stack 24 comprises a series ofcore enclosures 132, each of which houses the power conversion and LEDelectronics, typically referred to as LED drivers, for an associatedlighting module 20, as well as a master enclosure 140 that provideshousekeeping functions. Controller stack 24 includes a back plane 134that provides the electrical interconnections between each coreenclosure 132 and master enclosure 140 as well as the requisiteinterconnections to wiring harness 22 to interconnect controller stack24 to lighting modules 20. Back plane 134 is preferably adapted to actas a heat sink and transfer excess heat to support pole 12 foradditional dispersion of heat generated by controller stack 24. As seenin FIG. 16, core enclosure 132 and/or master enclosure 140 include ribs136 for dissipation of heat generated by internal electrical componentspositioned in a central cavity 138.

Referring to FIG. 17, each core enclosure 132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n isassociated with and coupled via wiring harness 22 to a correspondinglighting module 20 a, 20 b . . . 20 n. Preferable, a backup coreenclosure 132 z is selectively coupled to each lighting module 20 a, 20b . . . 20 n via a switching circuit 133 to provide a backup powersupply in the event of a fault in any of core enclosure 132 a, 132 b . .. 132 n. For example, if a fault in any core enclosure 132 results inthe loss of illumination from any or all of the independently controlledrows 50 of LED sets 52 in the corresponding lighting module 20, power tothat lighting module 20 can be switched to the backup core enclosure 132z to maintain the desired amount of illumination until such time as thefaulty core enclosure 132 can be repaired or replaced. Each coreenclosure 132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n is also interconnected to masterenclosure 140, which supervises and controls via digital commands thelocal operation of each core enclosure 132 a, 132 b . . . 132 n.

Referring to FIG. 18, master enclosure 140 is coupled to AC power via apower and signal connector 158 and includes local AC/DC conversion 142with input power monitoring 144 as well as surge protection and waveformcorrection 146. Master enclosure 140 also includes acontroller/processor 148 that has sensor inputs 150 for monitoring ofsystem 10. Controller/processor 148 is also interconnected to a seriesof expansion headers 152 and wireless communication interface 156 via afield programmable gate array (FPGA) 154. Controller/processor 148 maythus be programmed to establish connection with a remotely positionedhost system or remote device (such as a tablet or smartphone) that canprovide commands controlling operation of lighting modules 20 usingexpansion headers 152 to provide the desired wireless connectivity.Communication could comprise any conventional wireless communicationtechnology or protocol, such as WiFi, Blutetooth®, BLE, ZigBee, Z-Wave,6loWPAN, NFC, cellular such as 4G, 5G or LTE, RFID, LoRA, LoRaWAN,Sigfox, NB-IoT, or LIDAR. Controller/processor 148 is also coupled viapower and signal connector 158 for communication with core enclosures132, such as via a general-purpose input/output (GPIO) line 160,extending in back plane 134.

Referring to FIG. 19, each core enclosure 132 includes a power andsignal connector 170, which provides connectivity to master enclosure140 via GPIO line 160 as well as to a connection to AC power. Coreenclosure 132 provides power conversion to DC and power conditioning viaan EMI filter 172, an inrush protection circuit 174 and an active powerfactor corrector (PFC) 176. A plurality of isolated DC/DC circuits 178,each of which supports a corresponding one of independently controllableLED rows of asymmetric illumination source 44, are coupled to active PFC176. The present invention is illustrated with three isolated DC/DCcircuits because the exemplary illumination source 44 has threeindependently powered rows of LEDs, but if asymmetric illuminationsource 44 included four independently controlled rows 50 of LED sets 52,four isolated DC/DC circuits 178 would be included. Core enclosure 132further comprises an isolated auxiliary output 180 coupled to amicroprocessor 182. Microprocessor 182 is further coupled to primarysensing circuits 184 and secondary sensing circuits 186 for monitoringvoltage, current, power factor, and temperature across system 10.Microprocessor 182 is further configured to adjust the power output fromeach of the plurality of isolated DC/DC circuits 178 based on monitoringof primary sensing circuits 184 and secondary sensing circuits 186. Forexample, if one of independently controlled rows 50 of LED sets 52 isnot operational, microprocessor 182 can adjust the power output from theisolated DC/DC circuits 178 for the other of the independentlycontrolled rows 50 of LED sets 52 to compensate for the loss and ensurethat asymmetric illumination source 44 is providing the desired amountof illumination.

Referring to FIG. 20, the wireless communication capability of masterenclosure 140 provides a third layer of redundancy in the event of apartial or total loss of illumination from lighting module 20. Forexample, a detected loss at one location of system 10 a may becommunicated to wireless gateway 190 and remote host 192. Theillumination output of another system 10 b may then be adjustedaccordingly, either by allowing a user to send a command to system 10 bto adjust power to lighting modules 20 to compensate for the detectedloss or by supervisory software residing on host 192 that automaticallysends the appropriate commands.

Referring to FIG. 21, asymmetric illumination source 44 of each module20 allows for remote beam steering of lighting system 10. Lightingsystem 10 may be adapted to a particular installation regarding of thewidth of the pitch to be illuminated, the height of support pole 12, andthe distance between support pole 12 and the targeted pitch. Forexample, asymmetric illumination source 44 may be driven to change thebeam angle (generally recognized as the region of illumination with atleast fifty percent of the maximum beam strength) to provide theappropriate amount of illumination between a minimum and maximum spreadangle encountered in an installation. In the first scenario of FIG. 19,where the height of support pole 12 and setback distance require aminimum spread angle, asymmetric illumination source 44 can be drivenasymmetrically in a first configuration to provide a narrow beam anglewithout having to physically reorient modules 20. In the last scenario,where the height of pole 12 and setback distance require a minimumspread angle, asymmetric illumination source 44 can be drivenasymmetrically in a different configuration to provide a broader spreadangle without having to physically reorient modules 20. Thus, theeffective positioning of modules 20 can be adjusted without actuallyhaving to physically reorient modules 20. Thus, modules 20 may beasymmetrically driven to change the illumination scenario for differentevents or conditions, or to simply adjust the illumination in a givenlocation without having to physically move lighting modules 20. FIG. 20illustrates how the power control over each row 50 of asymmetricillumination source 44 can be adjusted to impact the beam angle emittedfrom lighting module 20 without having to rotate lighting module 20.

Referring to FIG. 23, asymmetric illumination source 44 of each lightingmodule 20 provides for a tunable cut-off for the illumination generatedfrom lighting module 20. Illumination cut-off generally refers to theamount of illumination in the beam field that extends beyond the desiredbeam angle (any area of illumination with less than fifty percent butmore than ten percent of the maximum beam strength). For example, in thefirst scenario of FIG. 23, the cut-off is very sharp, i.e., there isvery little spillage beyond the main beam angle. In the second and thirdscenarios, the spillage increases such that more illumination isprovided ancillary to the primary beam angle. Asymmetric illuminationsource 44 may be driven to change the cut-off at any time, whetherfinally upon installation, or dynamically over time to change thelighting scheme as desired by a user for different applications. Forexample, a gradual cut-off may be selected when more light is desired inthe areas surrounding a pitch for a particular event, such as a pre-gameshow, and then adjusted to provide a sharp cut-off during a game. Thus,asymmetric illumination source 44 allows for control over both the beamangle and the beam field relative to each other and relative to theillumination target.

Referring to FIG. 24, lighting module 20 may be constructed using ahousing 240 that encloses an asymmetric illumination source 244 and isenvironmentally sealed prior to attachment of lens array 260. As seen inFIG. 25, housing 240 includes a resilient optical layer 248 positionedover asymmetric illumination source 244 and captured within rectangularopening 242 to seal housing 240 from environmental infiltration. As aresult, lens array 260 may be attached or removed from housing 240 inthe field, such as to adjust the optical conditioning being provided,without compromising the environmental integrity of housing 240. Opticallayer 248 is preferably formed from a moldable optical silicone, such asSILASTIC® MS-1002 moldable silicone and related moldable siliconecompounds. As seen in FIG. 26, optical layer 248 may includemicro-lenses 262 molded therein and in alignment with each LED set 252of asymmetric illumination source 244. Optical layer 248 thus performspre-modulation of the illumination from lighting module 20. Micro-lenses262 allow for finer optical texturing than with lens array 260 alone. Inaddition, as lens array 260 does not need to perform as much opticalconditioning, lens array 260 can be smaller and thus lighter thanotherwise possible.

Referring to FIGS. 27 through 30, lighting module 20 may be outfittedwith lens array 60 configured that steers illumination into three, four,or five different regions. For example, each particular installation mayinclude a different number of support poles 12, so an appropriate lensarray 60 distributing illumination into three, four, or five differentregions may be used. As is known in the field, illumination from eachsupport pole 12 may need to overlap with illumination for other supportpoles 12 to provide the desired illumination, reduce or controlshadowing, etc. As seen in FIG. 30, lighting module 20 can provide awide or narrow area of illumination using variously designed lens arrays60 to steer illumination between a minimum and maximum distributionangle.

As described above, the present invention may be a system, a method,and/or a computer program associated therewith and is described hereinwith reference to flowcharts and block diagrams of methods and systems.The flowchart and block diagrams illustrate the architecture,functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems,methods, and computer programs of the present invention. It should beunderstood that each block of the flowcharts and block diagrams can beimplemented by computer readable program instructions in software,firmware, or dedicated analog or digital circuits. These computerreadable program instructions may be implemented on the processor of ageneral purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine thatimplements a part or all of any of the blocks in the flowcharts andblock diagrams. Each block in the flowchart or block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprisesone or more executable instructions for implementing the specifiedlogical functions. It should also be noted that each block of the blockdiagrams and flowchart illustrations, or combinations of blocks in theblock diagrams and flowcharts, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts orcarry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luminaire, comprising: a housing extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal opening in alignment with an illumination source; a first coupler positioned at the first end of the housing and having a first cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward from the housing and a first flange extending radially outwardly from the first cylindrical portion; and a second coupler positioned at the second end of the housing and having a second cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward from the housing and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the second cylindrical portion.
 2. The luminaire of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical portion defines an outwardly facing bearing surface and has an end face having a first set of electrical contacts.
 3. The luminaire of claim 2, wherein the first cylindrical portion has an internal bore that permits access to a second set of electrical contacts positioned within the bore.
 4. The luminaire of claim 3, wherein the first set of electrical contacts are interconnected to the second set of electrical contacts internally of the housing.
 5. The luminaire of claim 4, wherein the illumination source is interconnected the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts such that a source of power coupled to either of the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts will provide power to the illumination source and the other of the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts.
 6. The luminaire of claim 5, wherein the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts define a plurality of electrically independent pathways.
 7. The luminaire of claim 6, wherein the illumination source includes a plurality of light sources, each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of electrically independent pathways.
 8. A lighting system, comprising: a first luminaire having a first housing with a first illumination source, a first coupler positioned at an end of the first housing, and a second coupler positioned at an opposing end the first housing; a second luminaire having a second housing with a second illumination source, a third coupler positioned at an end of the housing, and a fourth coupler positioned at an opposing end the second housing; wherein the first luminaire is coupled to the second luminaire so that the first illumination source is electrically interconnected to the second illumination source.
 9. The lighting system of claim 8, wherein the first luminaire is coupled to the second luminaire by the first coupler and the fourth coupler.
 10. The lighting system of claim 9, wherein the first coupler has a first cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a first flange extending radially outwardly from the first cylindrical portion, the second coupler has a second cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a second flange extending radially outwardly from the second cylindrical portion, the third coupler has a third cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a third flange extending radially outwardly from the third cylindrical portion, and the fourth coupler has a fourth cylindrical portion extending longitudinally outward and a fourth flange extending radially outwardly from the fourth cylindrical portion.
 11. The lighting system of claim 10, wherein the first coupler and the fourth coupler are coupled together by a clamp positioned in covering relation to the first flange and the fourth flange.
 12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the first cylindrical portion of the first coupler defines an outwardly facing bearing surface and has an end face having a first set of electrical contacts.
 13. The lighting system of claim 12, wherein the fourth cylindrical portion of the fourth coupler has an internal bore that permits access to a second set of electrical contacts positioned within the bore.
 14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the first set of electrical contacts are interconnected to the second set of electrical contacts.
 15. The lighting system of claim 14, further comprising a source of power coupled to the second connector.
 16. The lighting system of claim 15, wherein the source of power is coupled to the first illumination source and the second illumination source by a first plurality of electrically independent pathways extending through the first luminaire and a second plurality of electrically independent pathways extending through the second luminaire. 